Really engaging audiobook. I've never read [b:The Autobiography of Malcolm X|92057|The Autobiography of Malcolm X|Malcolm X|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1434682864s/92057.jpg|47400], but I had some basic knowledge of his life. This was a great read, and a really interesting look at someone who's activism had roots in some of the same ideology that shows up today in Black Lives Matter conversations. I feel like it's not just good non-fiction, it's particularly timely with today's conversations about race in America. (I mean, obviously it was written years ago, but it just works really well as a contextual conversation starter right now.) ( )

Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary by Walter Dean Myers is a provocative book. It tells the story of the controversial black leader Malcolm X. Malcolm Little was born in Omaha, Nebraska on May 19th, 1925. It was during the years of the Great Depression when his father was run over by a streetcar in Lansing, Michigan. His death could have been caused by a white supremacist group because his dad was a follower of Marcus Garvey.
While in Michigan, Malcolm was forced to live in a number of foster homes separated from his family, for his mother Louise was to be confined to a mental institution. Eventually he relocated to Boston, Massachusetts where he lived with Ella, an older sister. While in Boston he lived with other blacks and became a street wise kid. In the 1940’s he moved to New York City where he was involved with illegal schemes. And shortly after he was charged with breaking and entering and armed robbery and sentenced to prison. While serving time at Charlestown State Prison Malcolm converted to the Nation of Islam. By the early 1950’s he was paroled.
Malcolm’s quest at the Nation of Islam led him to Chicago, Illinois where he heard Elijah Muhammad, and was given his X soon after. He grew in stature and became a minister of New York Temple Number Seven. By the late 1950’s Malcolm married Sister Betty X in Lansing, Michigan with whom he had daughters. By the early 1960’s he heard rumors of Elijah’s adultery with his secretaries. So he was becoming estranged from the Nation of Islam, and met with Elijah to try to iron their differences.
By 1963 the nation witnessed the march of Washington D.C. led by Martin Luther King, Jr. that was a success. Malcolm X remained critical of this event. When President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22nd, 1963, Malcolm’s public comments led him to be silenced by the Nation of Islam. And in 1964, his split with the Nation of Islam was announced in the New York Times. Malcolm later formed his own organization called the Muslim Mosque, Inc. It was during this time that he had his first meeting with Martin Luther King, Jr. Later he went on a pilgrimage to Mecca, and returned as El Hajj Malik el Shabazz. Malcolm then announced the formation of the secular Organization of Afro-American Unity. In 1965 his house in Queens was firebombed. Later that year, Malcolm X was assassinated while giving a speech in Harlem’s Audubon Ballroom. Three members of the Nation of Islam were arrested for this crime, and in 1966 they were sentenced to life imprisonment. ( )

After reading "X" by Ilyasah Shabazz, I wanted to get a little more insight into the life of Malcolm X. Considering this book is "written for children", it contains a great deal of comprehensive and significant information not only about Malcolm X but also about other key political and civil rights people and issues that took place during Malcolm X's lifetime.

This book is definitely a great introduction to or starting point for further research on Malcolm X. ( )

Growing up in the UK, I heard little about Malcolm X so this YA biography was a perfect place to begin. The text is straightforward, easy to follow, as well as being engaging. Myers explains the reasons behind the actions of Malcolm X and the Civil Rights movement. It's a thought-provoking book and an excellent choice for young adults. ( )

I pretty much knew all of this but it was well written and interesting. ( )